Bike recycling schemes make more bicycles available to the public, enable more people to be trained in bike maintenance and repair and put unwanted materials to good use. CTC wants to see more of them so we are creating a national directory of such schemes, including ones where people can donate any unwanted bikes or look for reconditioned ones; or where they could become involved as volunteers or trainees. If you know of one, please let us know. In the meantime, if you are wondering what to do with all those buckled and unusable wheels you have lying around, why not make them into a Christmas tree like this one in Sydney? Or take a look at some of the other astounding ways bicycles can be re-used. If all else fails, you could always get your beloved steed mounted by Bicycle Taxidermy!

Putting a lid on it

The issue of helmets was raised yet again in Parliament this week, when Alok Sharma, the MP for Reading West, held a debate on cycle safety, but with a strong slant towards helmets. He outlined many useful measures that could be taken to improve cycling, but then suggested that helmets be made compulsory for children. Together with other cycling organisations, CTC wrote to MPs urging them to put the case for why mandatory helmets would be bad for public health. The Rt Hon Ben Bradshaw MP – patron of the All Party Cycling Group – and Lilian Greenwood MP, the shadow cycling minister, both gave excellent speeches rejecting compulsion, while the minister also ruled out legislation.

Pilgrim's progress

Taking a leaf out of Victoria Pendleton’s book by appearing on a reality TV show (at 56), is former world mountain bike freestyle number one Sam Pilgrim. No, not dancing but dating asa contestant on ITV show ‘Take Me Out’. Sam showed off not only his amazing bike handling skills, but also his motorbikes, quadbike, jet-skis and speedboat to the prospective dates. However, several of them lost interest after he took out his false front tooth! He lost the real one in a cycling crash. Fortunately, this did not put all the girls off him so watch Sam on tomorrow’s show to see how he got on with his lucky date.

Wolverhampton wandering away from cycling

A scheme to revitalise Wolverhampton threatens to close NCN 81, the main west-east route through the city centre, to two-way cycling, which will also limit access to the city's railway station. Local CTC campaigner David Holman said: "People will cycle on the affected streets illegally because there is no other viable alternative." The plans are open for consultation until January 2013 so tell the city council you object.

Daphne rides again!

Fortunately, Cambridge is much nearer to Cycletopia, CTC’s vision of the perfect cycling city. It is also the home of 87-year-old Daphne Loke, who has been cycling around it since she was a girl. According to The Cambridge News, five years ago she had to give up riding due to dementia. But now, thanks to her inventor son Richard, she is enjoying trips by bike again. He takes her out on the Circe Morpheus recumbent tandem he designed himself.

Gearing up for better cycling conditions

Gearing Up, a new report by the London Assembly Transport Committee is calling on the mayor to provide much better facilities for cycling. It asks for a huge increase in the budget for cycling and for him to set a higher target for cycle use. CTC Policy Coordinator Chris Peck says: “The report has also pointed out that the space reallocated for the Games Lanes during the 2012 Olympics could quite easily be transferred to provide space for cycling facilities”.

Why ride when you can walk?

Regular cyclists know there's nothing more annoying than having to walk your bike. However, the bizarre Walk-A-Bike is a ‘bicycle wrist steering strap’ designed to allow walkers and joggers to integrate cycling into their exercise regimes. You attach it to the saddle and walk behind the bike. When you’ve walked/run far enough, you can ride home! Cyclists in Wolverhampton may want to order one, just in case the proposals go ahead…

The London Bike Show 2013

It’s fairly certain the Walk-A-Bike will not feature at next year’s London Bike Show. However, there will be the latest bikes and equipment and the UK’s first indoor criterium. CTC will be there, too. The show takes place at ExCel London from 17-20 January. CTC members can buy adult tickets for just £12 plus booking fee by using the code CTC1LBCTC.

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